Carlson slams call to destroy Dome of the Rock for rebuilding biblical Third Temple American commentator Tucker Carlson criticised evangelical pastor Greg Locke after remarks in which Locke suggested the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem should be destroyed to rebuild the biblical Third Temple. Carlson said such calls misrepresent Christian teachings and risk inflaming religious tensions. “If you’re a Christian preacher calling for the rebuilding of the Third Temple, you missed the whole point,” Carlson said.
Trump's 'fine' with another religious leader ruling Iran Submitted by Sean Mathews on Fri, 03/06/2026 - 21:02 US president told CNN Iran does not need to have a democracy, saying, 'I deal with a lot of religious leaders, and they are fantastic' US President Donald Trump speaks during an event celebrating the 2025 MLS Cup Champions, Inter Miami CF, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on 5 March 2026 (Alex Wong/Getty Images/AFP) Off US President Donald Trump told CNN he is “fine” if another religious figure becomes the leader of Iran and does not care if the Islamic Republic becomes a democracy. "It depends on who the person is. I don’t mind religious leaders.
White House says US reviewing potential candidates to lead Iran White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Washington is considering potential candidates to lead Iran, a day after President Donald Trump said the US must be involved in choosing the country’s next leader. “I know there’s a number of people that our intelligence agencies and the United States government are looking at, but I won’t get any further on that,” Leavitt told reporters. Her remarks follow Trump’s statement that there would be no deal with Iran except “unconditional surrender”.
What 'special relationship'? Ten other occasions when the US and UK fell out Submitted by Daniel Tester on Thu, 03/05/2026 - 12:07 Arguments over Iran between London and Washington follow similar disputes during the decades about Vietnam, the Suez Crisis, Libya and Kosovo US President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a summit on Gaza in Sharm el-Sheikh on 13 October 2025 (AFP) On President Donald Trump has criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer after he refused to let the US launch strikes on Iran from British military bases. “I’m not happy with the UK,” Trump said on 3 March, describing London as “uncooperative”.
Pranksters dressed as Hitler trick Reza Pahlavi into believing Germany 'ready' to bomb Iran Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Fri, 03/06/2026 - 11:55 Monarchist leader tells Russian comedians he is glad Germany will join Israeli-US 'crusade' A Russian prankster dressed as Adolf Hitler tells Reza Pahlavi that his grandfather knew Pahlavi’s father, the shah (Screengrab) Off A group of Russian pranksters, one dressed as Adolf Hitler, tricked Iranian monarchist leader Reza Pahlavi into believing Germany was preparing to bomb Iran . Vovan and Lexus, comedians known for prank-calling world leaders, spoke with Pahlavi via Zoom while claiming to be advisers to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. One of the pranksters, who said his name was “Adolf” and appeared dressed as Hitler, told the son of Iran’s former ruler that German intelligence was “ready to bomb Tehran”.
Trump: No deal with Iran, except 'unconditional surrender' US President Donald Trump wrote on his platform truthsocial that there would be no deal with Iran "except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! " He added that the US and its allies will "work tirelessly" to bring Iran "back from the brink of destruction" in order to develop its economy.
Pezeshkian: We are committed to 'lasting peace', but will not hesitate to defend Iran Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian indicates that Tehran is committed to "achieving lasting peace in the region", but adds that they will "never hesitate to defend the dignity and authority of our country".
Trump: Khamenei’s son unacceptable, US must help pick successor US President Donald Trump on Thursday declared that he would be personally involved in selecting Iran’s next leader following the killing of Ali Khamenei, according to an interview published in Axios. Trump told Axios that Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, would be “unacceptable” as a successor and said the United States wants a leader who would bring “harmony and peace” to Iran. Mojtaba Khamenei, a mid-ranking cleric with close ties to Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards, is considered one of the most likely candidates to succeed his father.
Iran sees no reason to negotiate with US, FM says In an interview with NBC, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is “not asking for a ceasefire” and sees no reason to negotiate with the United States. “When we negotiated with them twice, every time they attacked us in the middle of negotiations,” he said. Araghchi also said Iran has not closed the Strait of Hormuz, adding that ships and tankers have chosen not to pass through the waterway.
Iran grants interim leadership council expanded powers after Khamenei killing Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council has approved transferring key leadership powers to the country’s interim three-member leadership council, including authority over senior military and security appointments and decisions on war or peace, spokesperson Mohsen Dehnavi said on X. The temporary leadership council was formed after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed on 28 February. It currently includes President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and a cleric representing the Guardian Council, until a permanent leader is chosen by the Assembly of Experts.
Trump demands to choose next Iran supreme leader Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 03/05/2026 - 16:54 US president says Mojtaba Khamenei, son of leader killed in US-Israeli strike and frontrunner for office, is a 'lightweight' Off US President Donald Trump has said he must be directly involved in choosing the new ruler of Iran. Speaking to the Axios news outlet, he referenced his involvement in kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his negotiations in the aftermath as precedent. He also dismissed the idea of Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, taking over in Iran.
California governor Newsom questions US support for 'apartheid state' Israel Submitted by Mera Aladam on Thu, 03/05/2026 - 00:07 Newsom criticises Israel's rationale in attempting a regime change in Iran, saying 'they haven’t even been able to solve the Hamas question' A Palestinian boy stands next to an Israeli military vehicle during a raid in Jenin, occupied West Bank, on 17 February, 2026 (AFP/Mohammed Mansour) Off California governor Gavin Newsom putting into question US military backing of Israel in their war on Iran , likening it to an "apartheid state". Newsom on Tuesday criticised President Donald Trump's administration for its attack on Iran during an event in Los Angeles. When asked by Pod Save America host Jon Favreau if Washington should consider rethinking its military support for Israel in the long term, the California governor aired his disappointment with the current Israeli government.
Forty nations meet in The Hague to discuss measures against Israel’s West Bank annexation Submitted by Sondos Asem on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 15:01 The Hague Group conference pledges to ensure accountability for international crimes and prevent arms and material support from reaching Israel Ammar Hijazi, the Palestinian ambassador to the Netherlands, speaks at a conference in The Hague on 4 March 2026 (Supplied) Off Forty countries gathered in The Hague on Wednesday to discuss coordinated measures aimed at enforcing international law in Palestine , as governments warn that Israel ’s expanding settlement activity in the occupied West Bank amounts to de facto annexation. The meeting, co-chaired by South Africa and Colombia and convened under the umbrella of The Hague Group , brought together governments from across the Global South and beyond to seek ways to translate political statements into concrete state action. Founded in January 2025, The Hague Group was established to coordinate international legal responses to Israel’s policies in the occupied Palestinian territories and its genocide in Gaza .
Starmer praises Muslims and defends Iran policy at iftar in Westminster Submitted by Imran Mulla on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 15:07 British PM spoke about Gaza, the US-Israeli attack on Iran and rising anti-Muslim hostility Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on 4 March, to take part in the weekly session of 'Prime Minister's Questions' (AFP) Off British Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed Muslim MPs and community figures at a "Big Iftar" event in Westminster Hall, organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, on Tuesday night. Starmer spoke about Gaza , the US - Israeli attack on Iran and rising anti-Muslim hostility. He told the crowd that Ramadan strengthens "the bonds of community and decency that unite us all", describing it as a time "of great generosity, of service and of celebration too".
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, possible successor to his father as Iran's supreme leader? Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 09:30 As officials in Iran meet to decide on a new ruler, the son of Ali Khamenei has been touted as a frontrunner Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, attends a parade marking al-Quds (Jerusalem) International Day in Tehran in 2019 (Reuters) Off Following the death of Iran 's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive about his potential successor. With the Assembly of Experts reportedly in session to decide on the new ruler - despite their buildings still coming under US - Israeli attack - one name that has circulated is that of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late leader.
Labour Together: How McSweeney's shadowy think tank went to 'war' against journalists Submitted by Fleur Hargreaves on Fri, 02/27/2026 - 13:49 MPs, civil liberties groups and journalists warn of implications for press freedom after think tank's alleged smear campaign against journalists Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at the 2025 Global Progress Action Summit in central London on 26 September 2025 (Niklas Halle'n/AFP) Off Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons resigned last weekend following a scandal in which he reportedly paid a PR firm £36,000 ($48,000) to investigate journalists from The Sunday Times and other outlets looking into undeclared donations funding the think tank he headed, Labour Together. His actions have sparked concerns amongst politicians, journalists and civil liberties campaigners about the use of intimidation tactics by those close to government to stifle press freedom. Julie Posetti, chair of Centre for Journalism and Democracy at City St George’s, told Middle East Eye that the actions of Labour Together and the PR firm it worked with, "in effect represent a threat to media freedom in the UK ”.
Spain’s Sanchez says world cannot solve crises with bombs We have more comments from the Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez, who said the international community cannot resolve major crises through warfare or bombing campaigns, in reference to the US-Israeli war on Iran. "The position of the Spanish government can be summarised in four words: 'No to the war,'" he said, insisting the stance reflects a consistent policy rather than political opportunism. Sanchez also appeared to address recent trade threats from US President Donald Trump, stressing that Madrid would not shift its position under pressure.
Iran to hold farewell ceremony for assassinated leader Khamenei in Tehran Iran will hold a public farewell ceremony for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Wednesday evening, according to state media. Authorities said the gathering will begin at 10pm local time (18:30 GMT) at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla, a major prayer complex in the Iranian capital often used for large national events. State media reported that the memorial ceremonies will continue for three days, allowing mourners to pay their respects.
Morning recap Good morning, Middle East Eye readers. Events are still unfolding rapidly across the Middle East, so here's a quick recap: Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva on Tuesday cast doubt on the "usefulness" of talks with the US. "For the time being we are very doubtful about the usefulness of negotiation," Ali Bahreini, ambassador of the Iranian mission to the UN in Geneva, told reporters.
US troops were told Iran war 'anointed by Jesus' to bring on Armageddon, watchdog says Submitted by Oscar Rickett on Tue, 03/03/2026 - 16:47 Military Religious Freedom Foundation said it received widespread complaints about Christian-nationalist US commanders US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press conference on US military action in Iran, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on 2 March 2026 (AFP) Off US commanders from every arm of the military have told their units that the war on Iran is “anointed by Jesus” and would bring about his return to Earth as part of the Armageddon, resulting in scores of complaints from serving members of the military. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), an organisation dedicated to ensuring that all members of the US military are guaranteed religious freedom, told Middle East Eye on Tuesday that it had received more than 200 similar complaints from personnel serving in the army, navy, air force, marine corps, and space force. The complaints received by the MRFF, first reported by journalist Jonathan Larsen, have come from more than 40 units and span at least 30 military installations.
